Although Xu Fang abandoned the idea of civilizing humans and imparting cultivation techniques to them, he certainly would not turn a blind eye to humanity.
He turned to Ao Xue and said, "Ao Xue, these humans were born because of me, and my connection to them is profound. This place is quite close to the East Sea. Please trouble yourself to return and relay a message to your father, the Dragon King, asking him to protect humanity."
"Understood, Senior. Rest assured, I will return to the Dragon Clan to send the message immediately."
Ao Xue nodded in agreement. She then took to the skies, flying towards the East Sea Dragon Clan's domain.
Everyone present had clearly seen Senior Xu Fang's relationship with humanity, and his words were certainly not hollow. Moreover, Senior Xu Fang had bestowed great kindness upon the Dragon Clan. It was a simple matter for his father and the Dragon Clan to willingly agree to protect the nascent human race.
Xu Fang watched as Ao Xue took her leave. He then looked back at the humans not far away and nodded, finally feeling at ease. With the strength of the East Sea Dragon Clan, even if they couldn't dominate the heavens and earth, protecting the humans on the shores of the East Sea would pose no problem. When Taishang came later to civilize humans and pass down cultivation techniques, humanity would possess power, and this dangerous period for the new race would pass safely.
"My fellow humans, I have helped you this far. The rest is up to yourselves."
Thinking this, Xu Fang cast a final glance at the human settlement before stepping onto the Treasure Distribution Rock. The Golden-Winged Great Peng and Duobao Daoist followed him. The Treasure Distribution Rock accelerated, leaving the humans' cheers behind. They entered the East Sea and began to locate Penglai Immortal Island amidst the vast expanse.
The Heaven Measuring Ruler and the Innate Gourd Vine, having reaped a bountiful harvest, began to show off in the chat group during their journey.
[Innate Gourd Vine: Haha! I now declare myself the number one acquired Merit Supreme Treasure. Whoever opposes, who agrees?]
[Heaven Measuring Ruler: Haha! Primordial Violet Gold Pagoda, are you there? Come out and speak. It's time to decide the title of the first acquired Merit Supreme Treasure!]
[Primordial Violet Gold Pagoda: You scoundrel, you've gotten ahead of yourself. You merely encountered Nuwa's ascension and reaped some merit and fortune. What are you boasting about here?]
[Heaven Measuring Ruler: Oh really! So you're not convinced? Shall we spar sometime? The throne of the first acquired Merit Supreme Treasure should be passed to a new artifact!]
[Primordial Violet Gold Pagoda: Even if you say that, my defense is unparalleled. Can you really do anything to me?]
[Heaven Measuring Ruler: . . . You truly are addicted to being a turtle in a shell! But you do have a point. Fine, fine, let us share the title of the first acquired Merit Supreme Treasure!]
[Primordial Violet Gold Pagoda: Hehe! Weren't you just so feisty? Why the sudden change of tune?]
[World-Destroying Black Lotus: Haha! I knew it. As long as we defensive artifacts just keep defending, these guys can do nothing to us. This is a victory for us defensive artifacts!]
[Heaven Measuring Ruler: Alright, alright. You're all just turtles in shells. What are you showing off about!]
The Heaven Measuring Ruler was quite dejected. It had finally had an opportunity to contend for the title of the first acquired Merit Supreme Treasure, but it had underestimated the troublesome nature of these defensive artifacts. As long as they simply defended, they were truly unshakeable, leaving offensive artifacts helpless. Under duress, the Heaven Measuring Ruler could only announce that it would share the title of the first acquired Merit Supreme Treasure with the Primordial Violet Gold Pagoda.
The Innate Gourd Vine, however, firmly held its position as the number one acquired Merit Supreme Treasure. Even if the Empress's Whip joined the group, given its significant connection to the Innate Gourd Vine, it likely wouldn't dare to contest.
Seeing this, Xu Fang recalled past experiences and fell into contemplation. He also needed to research methods to deal with defensive artifacts so that he wouldn't be helpless.
In the chat group, this dispute over Merit Supreme Treasures was merely the beginning, and soon it became lively.
[Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree: Alright, forget your Merit Supreme Treasures. I just want to ask, Nuwa's ascension, what does it have to do with you? When did Xu Fang get involved?]
[Guiding Exquisite Flower Lamp: Exactly. We are all depressed like Jieyin Daoist and Zhunti Daoist. You didn't even livestream it for us to see what happened?]
[Heaven Measuring Ruler: That's a funny thing to say. My Xu kid is full of brilliant ideas. Without him, how could Nuwa have created humans and ascended? What do you mean by 'getting involved'?]
[Ruyi Jingu Bang: Exactly. That's a secret, how can we easily reveal it to you?]
[Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda: You missed out yourselves, and you blame us?]
[Taiji Diagram: The words are spoken thus, but my Taishang also has a good relationship with your Xu Fang. Why did he choose to help Nuwa and not us?]
[Dragon-Coiling Bent Crutch: That's right. Now Taishang is completely depressed. A woman ascended before him, and he's the senior disciple of Xuanmen. Where's his face gone?]
[Chaos Bell: Haha! You Three Pure Ones can't do anything, and you blame others? This time, our Demon Clan has produced a Saint. Who in the Primordial World can rival us!]
[Sun-Shooting Divine Bow: Are you pointing at my Wu Clan?]
[Dragon Head Cane: Alas! My side is also under immense pressure. Dong Wang Gong seems to be getting restless.]
[Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree: I knew we should have built a good relationship with this Xu Fang. I really don't know what to say about those two from the West.]
[Creation Jade Disc: Enough, even if we showed you Westerners a livestream, what would you do? To put it bluntly, Nuwa has walked this path to ascension, and you cannot imitate her!]
[Yuantu: Damn it! So that's how it is. Then what is Minghe so agitated about here!]
[Abi: Oh no, he doesn't actually think creating a race still has a chance, does he?]
[Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd: So, the key is still the Primordial Violet Qi and the acknowledgement of Heavenly Dao?]
[Creation Jade Disc: Precisely! Alas, with Nuwa's ascension, the era of Saints has finally arrived!]
Xu Fang read the messages in the chat group and quickly understood the thoughts of various factions after Nuwa's ascension. The Demon Clan was naturally overjoyed, celebrating the birth of a Saint within their ranks. The West was undoubtedly regretting not having courted him properly and not receiving his guidance on ascension. Taishang was quite dejected; as the senior disciple of Xuanmen, he had been outdone by Nuwa, losing all face. According to Yuantu and Abi, Patriarch Minghe, upon seeing Nuwa create humans and ascend, was moved and would likely create the Asura clan soon.
Xu Fang closed the chat group and looked ahead at the vast, boundless sea.
"The era of Saints has finally opened its curtain!"
Xu Fang sighed with emotion. As the Creation Jade Disc had said, the era of Saints had truly arrived, and all parties were stirring. From this point onward, in the Primordial World, with Heavenly Dao relying on Saints to rule, how would he survive and continue to write his legend?